The unexpected rush of Indian students to Germany has led to a situation of overload at some German consular authorities in the country. The situation is particularly severe at the German consulate in Chennai, which is responsible for all visa applications from South India. This is an unacceptable situation, and it is a pity that the new consulate in Bangalore is still not fully operational.
Indian applicants for student residence permits presently run the risk of missing important deadlines at their German universities. It is highly advisable to contact the respective VFS offices as soon as possible to make an appointment for the required visa interview at the German consulate / embassy.
Don't forget: Residence permits (whether for work or study) cannot be issued by consular authorities without prior consultation with the respective immigration offices in Germany. After the visa interview, it usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before the entry visa can be stamped into the candidate's passport.
At the present situation, first contact with the VFS representatives should be made at least 10 weeks before the envisaged date of departure.
Chris
germanstudycentre@gmail.com
